Dental syringe



May 12, 1970 G. H. sTRAM DENTAL SYRINGE Filed Aug. 7. 1967 GEORGE H.STRAM ATTORNEY United States Patent O M 3,511,235 DENTAL SYRINGE GeorgeH. Stram, Hellam, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to DentsplyInternational Inc., York, Pa., a

corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 658,795 Int. Cl.A61c 17/02; A61m l7/00; F16k 3/10 U.S. Cl. 12S-173.1 11 Claims ABSTRACTF THE DISCLOSURE A dental syringe connectable to sources of air andwater under pressure and having slidably movable gate-type valvesrespectively to control the flow thereof individually, or simultaneouslyto form a spray. The valves are actuated by exterior levers locatedconveniently for engagement by the thumb or a linger of the user. Thelevers are integrally connected to the valves and have a lingerconforming, leaf-like shape for ease of manipulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dental syringes of various types havingvalves arranged to be operated individually or simultaneously to delivereither water or air streams, as desired, or simultaneously to form aspray mixture thereof, are available at present. In practice, however,these syringes have been quite complex and it is diticult to render thevalves and passages water and air-tight so as to prevent leakage of airand/ o1 water either when the syringe is in use or idle, whichsimultaneously maintaining the size of the syringe compact and easilyoperated.

Typical examples of current dental syringes are shown in the followingpatents: No. 3,054,402, Franwick et al. 1962; No. 3,137,297, Maurer etal. 1964; No. 3,254,646, Staunt et al. 1966.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a multiple purpose typedental syringe having fluid passages respectively connectable to sourcesof air and water under pressure and each passage having valve meanswhich include ported uid-transmitting members which engage oppositesides of a pivotally movable valve member slidably movable between saidported members simultaneously to prevent leakage between said portedfluid-transmitting members and passage means associated therewith todeliver uid to and from each valve member.

In the preferred specific embodiment of the invention, the valve memberof each valve means is pivotally supported and has an opening throughone portion thereof movable toward and from alignment with aligned portsin said ported transmission members. The ported transmission members areyieldably urged into sliding, uidtight engagement with opposite sides ofsaid valve member. Said ported members also are connected to iiuidpassage means by O-rings which serve the dual function of providingfluid-tight connection between said ported members and said passagemeans and simultaneously urging said ported members into said sliding,fluid-tight engagement with said movable valve members.

The movable valve members of both valve means are preferably movableabout a common axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis ofan elongated handle body by a pair of short levers adjacent each othernear the outer end of the handle body and positioned conveniently to beoperated individually or simultaneously by the thumb or finger of thehand of the operator which holds the syringe.

One of the principal overall results of the foregoing arrangement is acompact arrangement of the valves and 3,511,235 Patented May 12, 1970fluid-tight features described above which are capable of relativelyinexpensive manufacturing, each assembly, and fool-proof operation,providing long periods of troublefree use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is an enlarged rear elevationof a dental syringe embodying the principles of the present invention,the intermediate portion of the handle body being interrupted toforeshorten the view to accommodate it to the sheet and part of the bodybeing broken away to disclose details.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view seen on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the upper portion of the syringe shown in FIG.l, one of the side cover plates being removed to illustrate details ofone of the valve means and the connecting means for the nozzle alsobeing shown in fragmentarily sectioned manner to show details and thenozzle also being interrupted midway to foreshorten the same. The valveis closed in this view.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the valve in openposition and the nozzle connecting means not being sectioned.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view primarily of thenozzle connecting means as seen on the line 5 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinally sectioned view of the nozzle, theintermediate portion of which has been removed to foreshorten the viewto accommodate it to the sheet.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the nozzle per se on a smaller scale thanin the preceding figures.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the tip end of the nozzle, asseen on line 8 8 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. l, the syringe illustrated therein comprises asubstantially cylindrical handle body -10 which may be formed fromsuitable material, either metal, synthetic resin or otherwise. The shapethereof is preferably such as readily to accommodate it to being held inthe hand of the operator such as a dentist or dental hygienist. One endof the handle is provided with a suitable coupling collar 12 by which acomposite llexible conduit assembly 14 is connected at one end to theinlet end of the handle, and the other end thereof is connected tosuitable sources of dental utilities, such as air and water underpressure. It is to be understood that the conduit assembly 14 comprisesat least a pair of flexible tubes respectively to conduct air and waterunder pressure to a longitudinally extending bore 16 comprising an airconduit adjacent one side of the handle body 10 and a similar bore 18 atthe opposite side of the handle body comprising a water conduit.

The opposite end of the handle comprises a head 20 t0 which one end of adischarge nozzle 22 is connected. To accomplish this, the head 20 isprovided with a projection 24 which extends at an angle to the axis ofthe handle 10. Projection 24 has cavities and ports therein, details ofwhich are described hereinafter, which communicate respectively with thelongitudinal air and water conduits 16 and 18. Opposite sides of thehead 20 are provided with valve cavities 26 and 28 respectively. Thesecavities are of irregular shape as can best be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4.

Extending transversely between the valve cavities 26 and 28 at oppositesides of the head 20 is a suitable bore which is complementary to apivot shaft 30. Cover plates 32 and 34 respectively close the cavities26 and 28 with which they are complementary in shape, and said platesalso have an additional function set forth hereinafter. These coverplates are provided with shallow cavities 36 on the inner faces thereofwhich respectively receive the opposite ends of pivot shaft 30 as can beseen from FIG. 1. The cover plates 32 and 34 are secured in operativeposition by appropriate means such as a pair of cap screws which arethreaded respectively into holes 38.

The inner surfaces of cover plates 32 and 34 also are provided withsimilar circular recessed shoulders 40 which are coaxial with additionalshort cavities 42. The cavities 42 respectively communicate with one endof internal passages 44, the opposite ends thereof communicating withtransversely extending internal passages 46 which extend inwardly,coaxially through the opposite outer portions of head 20, as well as theadjacent portions of cover plates 32 and 34. The inner ends of theinternal passages 46 intersect and communicate with the upper endsrespectively of the air and water conduits y16 and 18 Within the head asviewed in FIG. 1. The inner walls of the valve cavities 26 and 28 alsoare provided with circular recessed shoulders 50 which are coaxial withsmaller diameter recesses 52 that communicate with longitudinallyextending interior passages S4 which extend inwardly from the outer endof head 20, as best seen from FIG. 3. The outer ends of said passagesare plugged and immediately before the plugged ends, said passages areintersected by angularly extending ports 56 which communicate therewith.Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that one of the ports 56, whichconducts air, communicates With a preferably cylindrical internal cavity58 in projection 24. Coaxial therewith is another internal cavity 60 ofsubstantially smaller diameter than cavity 58, cavity 60 alsocommunicating with the other angular port 56 which is arranged todeliver water therethrough. Seated within each of the internalconfronting pairs of recessed shoulders 40 and 50, respectively Withinthe cover plates 32 and 34 and the head 20, are similar portedtransmission members 62 Which, in side elevation as viewed in FIG. 1,are somewhat mushroom-shaped. Each of them comprise a head portion and acoaxial short stein portion integral therewith. A port of relativelysmall diameter extends axially entirely therethrough and the peripheryof the outermost end of the head of each of the transmission members 62preferably is beveled. The members 62 also preferably are formed fromsuitable synthetic resinous material, such as a self-lubricating type,one commercial brand of which is sold under the trademark Teflon Theconfronting faces of each pair of the transmission members 62 which areperipherally beveled are spaced axially a short distance from each otherand are parallel so as to receive slidably therebetween a flat,blade-type gate valve member 64 which preferably is formed from metal ofa non-corrosive type, such as brass, stainless steel or the like. The atvalve members 64 have inner terminal portions which slidably movebetween the beveled head surfaces of the respective pairs oftransmission members 62 as the valve members are oscillated a limitedamount upon pivot shaft between open and closed positions. Each valvemember 64, adjacent one side of said terminal portion thereof, isprovided with a passage hole 66 of a diameter similar to that of theports in the transmission members 62 and, when the valve members 64 arein open position, said passage hole is in axial alignment with andextends between the ports of one of the pairs of transmission members62. To accomplish this, the radius of the hole 66 with respect to theaxis of pivot shaft 30 is the same as the distance between the axis ofsaid shaft and the ports of the transmission members 62. In FIG. 4, thevalve member 64 illustrated therein is disposed in open position.

It will be understood that each of the valve members 64 is provided withan appropriate bearing hole closely complementary to the diameter of thepivot shaft 30. The valve members 64 also are provided within the planethereof with a lateral extension 68. If desired, the valve members 64and extensions 68 may be stamped from sheet metal of uniform thickness.Connected to and extending transversely from an outer edge of extension68 on each valve member 62 is a leaf-like operating fngerpiece or lever70 which also may be stamped from the same type of sheet metal and bentinto curved configuration so as to comfortably receive the face of thethumb or finger tip of an operator. Each lever 70 may be soldered orotherwise connected to extension 68 and it will be seen from FIG. 1 thata pair of such levers are respectively shaped for left and right handpositioning. Further, the inner edges 72 of each of the levers 70 whichare adjacent each other preferably are curved inwardly toward the outerend of the head 20. It has been found that this shape is highly suitableto render individual or simultaneous operation of the levers 70 highlycomfortable and eliminates any tendency to pinch the thumb or finger ofthe operator used to operate the levers during such opening and closingof the valves. The levers 70 extend upwardly beyond the upper end ofhandle body 10 and valves are opened by pressing said levers forwardly,toward the nozzle 22, which requires minimum effort and may be donewhile holding the handle .10 in the human hand in a comfortable andnatural manner.

The valve members 64 normally are maintained in closed position by meansof a compressible coil spring 74 which is accommodated suitably withinthe valve cavity 26 or 28 in which one of the same is mounted. One endof the spring abuts a wall of said cavity, While the opposite end ispositioned operatively against the lateral extension 68 on each valvemember 64. Such extension 68 on each valve preferably is provided with acentering projection 76 which is received within the adjacent end of thespring 74 and thus prevents migration of the same during operation. Theforce of the spring is selected so as to insure rapid closing of thevalve after the valve member 64 has been disposed in open position, suchas by pressing against the lever 70 thereon.

To insure against leakage of air or Water with respect to any of thevarious elements comprising the valve means or the passages leading toand from the same, highly effective but very simple expedients areutilized in the form of similar sealing O-rings 78 which are of suitablecross-sectional dia-meter as well as overall diameter as to readily bereceived Within the circular recess shoulders 40 and 50 and exertpressure in an axial direction against the annular surfaces on the headsof the transmission members 62 which are opposite the faces thereofwhich are engaged slidably by the valve members I64. The O-rings 78serve the dual function of not only pressing the confronting faces ofeach pair of transmission members 62 rsepectively against oppositesurfaces of the valve member 64 but they also seal the stern portions ofeach of the transmission members -62 against leakage with respect to theshort cavities 42 and smaller diameter recesses 52 within which suchstems are disposed incident to the ports therein communicating with thepassages 44 and S4. All the O-rings 78 and transmission members 62 ofboth sets thereof are maintained in compressed assembly when coverplates 32 and 34 are secured to head 20 by screws threaded into holes 38therein.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, details of the dischargenozzle 22 are illustrated therein and especially the manner in which itis connected to the projection 24 of head 20. From FIGS. 3 and 7, itwill be seen that the nozzle 22 is tubular and, preferably, in sideelevation is curved at one end downwardly, when in use, from the axis ofthe inlet end upon which a locking collar 80 is affixed. Said collarpreferably is cylindrical and has a seat lwithin which is suitablyfixed, such as by soldering or otherwise, the inlet end of exterior tube82 through which air is discharged by means to be described. Preferably,the collar 80 is cup-shaped and the terminal end is axially boredinwardly from the outer end thereof to closely receive and Ibe fixed tothe inlet end of tube 82, such as by solder, to provide the arrangementseen in FIG. 6. A plurality of transversely extending air-inlet ports 86extend through the walls of the terminal end portion 84 of collar 80 topermit delivery of air to the interior of tube 82.

Coaxial within the exterior tube S2 is an interior tube 88 whichpreferably is of a uniform diameter that is less than that of theinterior diameter of tube 82 at its inlet end so as to form alongitudinal, annular passage 90 through which air passes as receivedfrom the angular port 56 which communicates with the passage 54 thatcommunicates with the air conduit 16. This arrangement is shown on theleft-hand side of FIG. 1, upper part of FIG. 1 and right-hand portion ofFIG. 6. The interior bore within the terminal end `84 of collar 80 is oflarger diameter than the exterior diameter of interior tube 88, wherebyan annular passage 92 therebetween communicates with the elongatedannular passage 90 between tubes 82 and 88 and, by means of ports 86 andinternal cavity 58, communicates with the angular passage 56 whichreceives air from the conduit 16 as described above.

The inlet end 94 of interior tube 88 projects axially beyond theterminal end 84 of collar 80 a limited distance as is clearly shown inFIGS. 3, 6 and 7 and is quite closely received within the internalcavity 60 provided in projection 24 as shown in FIG. 6. A sealing O-ring96 is compressed between the end face of terminal end member `84 ofcollar 80 and the innermost end of internal cavity 58, as can readily beseen in FIGS. 3 and 6. This is for purposes of sealing the lconnectionbetween the inlet end 94 of the interior water-transmitting tube 88 andthe axially aligned angular port 56. Said angular port 56 communicateswith the right-hand interior passage 54, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4,which leads to the axially aligned ports in the transmission members 62Iwhich communicate with the right-hand passages 44 and 46, as seen inFIG. l, that receive water from conduit 18 in handle body 10.

Also as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the inlet end of the compound,multi-passage discharge nozzle 22 is connected within its seatcomprising cavity 58 in projection 24 by means of a finger-operableclamping collar 98 which, on its exterior, preferably is knurled. Theinterior thereof is provided with an annular clamping shoulder 100 whichengages the outer rim of locking collar 80. Preferably, a thin washer101 formed of self-lubricating plastic, such as Delrin or Teonj isdisposed between shoulder 100 and collar 80 to facilitate rotatableadjustment of nozzle 22 relative to head 20. An outer circular shoulder102 on clamping collar 98 preferably is slightly spaced from the outerend of projection 24 when the collar 98 is in home position and when itis in such position, the O-ring 96 is placed under sealing compression.Although the end face 102 of collar 98 preferably is slightly spacedfrom the outer face of projection 24 when in clamping position, thewasher 101 will prevent any appreciable escape of air which is the onlyuid intended to be discharged into cavity 58, -for example, whereby noharm will be done if a slight amount of the same escapes to atmosphere.An externally threaded sleeve 104 extends beyond end face 102 andengages complementary threads within the surface of cavity 58 to securethe collar 98 in clamping position.

The outer end of nozzle 22 is provided with a discharge tip 106, detailsof which are best shown in the left-hand end of FIG. 6. From both FIGS.6 and 7, it will be seen that the exterior tube 82 of the nozzle 22gradually tapers from the inlet end to the discharge tip 106.Accordingly, the cylindrical air passage 90 in the tip 106 is ofsubstantially less area than that of the inlet end thereof and thedischarge end of said passage 90 communicates with a short circulardischarge tube 108 of very small radial dimension and is spaced frombore 109 in tip 106- to provide an annular discharge passage for airaround the outer surface of tube 108. Hence, the discharge of airthrough said passage is at a much higher speed than that at which theair enters the inlet end of passage 90 for several purposes.

One of said purposes is to deliver a relatively high speed jet of airwhen discharge of air alone is desired. The other is to atomize thestream of water existing through the central discharge hole 110 in tube108, which is coaxial with and in short telescoping engagement at itsinner end with the discharge end of the interior tube 88, as when aspray comprising a mixture of air and water is desired. To accomplishthis, the terminal end of tulbe 108 extends slightly beyond the outerend of tip 106 to insure adequate atomization of the water jet to formsuch spray or mist. Further, the tube 108 is highly adequate t0discharge only a jet of water when that is all that is desired. Tube 108is held in operative position within tip 106 by a spider 112 whichprovides a series of spaces 114, see FIG. 8, through which air passesfrom passage to said discharge passage in tip 106. Preferably, the tip106 is permanently connected to the outer end of exterior tube 82.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the syringe comprising thelpresent invention is of relatively simple construction yet is capableof selectively discharging either only a stream of water, or only a jetof `air, or a mixture of air and water comprising a mist or spray,whichever is desired by the operator. To discharge air alone, theleft-hand handle 70, as viewed in.FIG. 1, is depressed to bring thepassage hole 68 in the valve member 64 connected thereto into-registrywith the yaxially aligned ports of the transmission members 62associated with said valve member. Similarly, if a jet of air alone isdesired, the right-hand handle 70, as viewed in FIG. 1, is depressed soas to bring the passage hole 66 of valve member 64 connected with saidhandle into registry with the ports of the transmission members 62associated with said valve member. When, however, a mist or spray isdesired, both of the handles 70 are depressed simultaneously in order toopen lboth of said valves and thereby produce a mixture of air and waterat the discharge end of tip 106.

The handles 70 are so shaped as to be comfortable to operate. Further,the springs 74 are of adequate strength to quickly return the valvemembers to closed position from an open position thereof, yet do notrequire such force to move the valves to open position as would beuncomfortable for the operator to actuate said valve members. Theparticular shape of the inner edges 72 of the handles 70 is such as toprevent the possibility of the operator pinching the face of his or herthumb or finger therebetween when operating the handle 70. F'urther, thenature of the material from which the transmission members 62 are formedis such as to render them substantially self-lubricating, whereby the-blade-like valve members 64 are readily slidable therebetween withoutleakage of either air or Water between the slidalbly engaged surfaces ofthe elements which comprise each valve. This is due to adequate pressurebeing exerted by the O-ring 78 against the transmission members 62 toinsure the same.

In addition, the formation of the various passages in the head 20 andthe cover plates 32 and 34 are such that they may be readily formedeither by molding or drilling. Also, the assembly of all the variouselements comprising the several valve members and their coactingelements is simple and readily accomplished without the requirement ofspecial tools or the like.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A dental syringe selectively operable to discharge air, water or amixture thereof to provide a spray and comprising in combination, anelongated handle-like body adapted to be held manually, a nozzleprojecting laterally from one end of said body, and air and Waterpassages extending longitudinally of said body and connectable at oneend respectively to supplies of air and water under pressure at theopposite end of said body and the opposite ends thereof communicatingwith said nozzle, in combination with a pair of flowc1ontrol valve meansmounted transversely beside each other within said body adjacent saidone end thereof and respectively connected to said passages to controlthe flow of air and Water therethrough, said valve means each includingtransversely spaced fluid transmission members having at leastsubstantially parallel surface [portions provided with axially alignedports therein and a thin segmental bladelike valve member pivotallysupported for slidable movement through a limited arc within a planerelative to which the common axis of said ports is perpendicular, eachvalve member having an opening therethrough ar ranged to be moved intoregistry with said aligned ports of a pair of said transmission memberswhen said valve is in open position to permit discharge therethrough andan imperforate portion on each valve member arranged to be positionedbetween said aligned ports of said transmission members to preventcommunication therebetween when said valve means is closed, meansengaging said ported members to constantly urge said surface portionsthereof with sliding scalable engagement with opposite surfaces of saidblade-like member, and actuating members integrally connected to saidblade-like valve members of said valve means opposite the pivot of eachof said members and disposed adjacent each other exteriorly of andadjacent said one end of said handle-like body while held in the handeof an operator for selectively individual or simultaneous engagement -bythe thumb or linger of an operator respectively to discharge air, Wateror a spray-like mixture thereof from said nozzle.

2. The dental syringe according to claim 1 in which said means engagingsaid ported transmission members comprise compressible O-rings.

3. The dental syringe according to claim 2 in which said portedtransmission members have annular shoulders thereon and stem portions onone end respectively positioned in seats in communication with saidtluid passages, and said compressible O-rings surrounding said stemportions and engaging said seats to prevent leakage of fluidtherebetween and also abutting said shoulders of said portedtransmission members to effect said urging of said ported membersrespectively into huid-tight engagement against the opposite surfaces ofsaid valve member.

4. The dental syringe according to claim 3 in which said portedtransmission members have heads opposite said shoulders and the outerend surfaces of said heads slidably engaging said valve member and saidend surfaces being beveled at the circumference thereof.

5. The dental syringe according to claim 3 in which said portedtransmission members are formed from selflubricating synthetic resin andsaid blade-like valve member being formed from sheet metal.

6. The dental syrings according to claim 1 in which said valve member ofeach valve is pivoted for movement upon a common axis normal to theplane of said valve members.

7. The dental syringe according to claim 6 further including springmeans engaging said valve members opposite the pivot from the portionslidable between said ported transmission members and operable to movesaid slidable portions toward closed position relative to said portedtransmission members.

8. The dental syringe according to claim 1 in which said actuatingmembers are leaf-like handles connected to said valve members and aredisposed longitudinally outwardly from and in spaced relationship tosaid one end of said handle-like body when said valves are closed andsaid actuating members being movable toward said nozzle to open saidvalves.

9. The dental syrings according to claim 8 in which said leaf-likehandles of said valves are transverse to the planes of said slidableportionsrof said valve members and are closely positioned adjacent eachother when the valves are closed, whereby said handles may beselectively engaged individually by a thumb or linger of the operatorrespectively to open only the air or water valve or they may besimultaneously engaged to open said valves simultaneously to produce aspray of mixed air and water.

10. A dental syringe selectively operable to discharge air, Water or amixture thereof to provide a spray and comprising in combination, anelongated handle-like body, a nozzle projecting laterally from one endof said body, and air and water passages extending longitudinally ofsaid body and connectable at one end respectively to supplies of air andwater under pressure and the opposite ends thereof communicating withsaid nozzle, in combination with a pair of How-control valve meansmounted within said body adjacent said one end thereof and respectivelyconnected to said passages to control the ow of air and watertherethrough, said valve means each including movable thin segmental4blade-like valve members, and manually engageable actuating memberspivotally supported by said body adjacent said one end of said bodyopposite the side from which said nozzle projects and initiallyextending longitudinally in a direction outward from said one end ofsaid body, said actuating members being integrally connectedrespectively to said movable valve members and operable to move the sameto open position when said actuating members are pivotally moved towardsaid nozzle, said actuating members having a digit-engaging portionextending transversely to the planes of said 'blade-like valve membersand being adjacent each other for selective individual actuation todischarge air or water from said nozzle or simultaneous actuation by asingle finger or thumb of the operator to discharge air and watersimultaneously to form a spray mist.

11. The dental syringe according to claim 10y in which saiddigit-engaging portions of said actuating members are substantiallywithin a common plane approximately parallel to the axis of said bodywhen said valve members are in closed position and the outer ends ofsaid actuating members extending beyond said one end of said body toprovide maximum ease of actuation of said valves when the body of saidsyringe is encircled by the lingers of an operator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,607,827 11/192-6 Hermann251-174 2,839,074 6/1958 Kaiser 251-174 XR 3,006,599 10/1961 Eckert251--174 XR 3,054,402 9/ 1962 Franwick et al 12S- 229 3,118,650 1/1964Cooper et al. 251-174 XR 3,228,652 1/1966 Antrim 251-174 XR 3,254,6466/1966 Staunt et al. 12B-173.1 XR 3,269,694 8/ 1966 Hardison 251-1743,401,691 9/1968 Beu 12S-173.1 3,137,297 V6/1964 Maurer et al 128--173.l3,375,823 4/1968 Pamplin et al 12S-173.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 564,949 1958 Belgium.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R.

